Travel Advisory
Please check your government's official travel advisory before departure. Situations can change rapidly.
Safety Level
Official risk level and travel advisories
Costa Rica is one of the safer countries in Central America. Watch for pickpocketing, bag snatching and theft from vehicles in San José and busy tourist areas.
- Overall risk
- Moderate; relatively safe by regional standards
- Main concern
- Petty theft, vehicle break-ins and opportunistic robbery
- Emergency number
- 911 (all services)
- Most visits are trouble-free, but opportunistic crime is common in downtown San José and at popular beaches. Avoid walking alone at night, keep valuables out of sight and never leave belongings unattended.
Danger Zones & Areas to Avoid
Regions with poor security or restricted access
No blanket no-go areas, but take extra care in parts of downtown San José, the Coca-Cola bus terminal area, and some Limón and Pacific coast neighbourhoods, especially at night.
- Urban caution
- Downtown San José and bus terminal areas
- At night
- Avoid deserted streets, beaches and isolated trails
- Petty and opportunistic crime concentrates in crowded urban districts and around transport hubs. Some coastal areas around Puerto Limón and busy beach towns see higher theft rates. Stick to well-populated, well-lit areas after dark.
Natural Disaster Risks
Earthquakes, typhoons, floods, and other hazards
Costa Rica lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire. Prepare for earthquakes, active volcanoes, rainy-season flooding and landslides, and strong rip currents at Pacific beaches.
- Earthquakes
- Frequent seismic activity; know your building's procedures
- Volcanoes
- Active: Arenal, Poás, Irazú
- Rainy season
- May–November flooding and landslides
- Beaches
- Rip currents on the Pacific coast
- Earthquakes can occur at any time. National parks around active volcanoes such as Poás and Irazú may close on short notice due to gas or activity. During the rainy season (May to November) roads can flood or wash out. Many drownings happen in rip currents; only swim on patrolled beaches and heed warning flags.
Health & Disease Risks
Endemic diseases and hygiene concerns
Mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue and Zika occur, with malaria in some areas. Tap water is generally safe in cities but be cautious in rural areas. Guard against sunburn and heat.
- Mosquito-borne
- Dengue and Zika; malaria in limited areas
- Tap water
- Generally safe in cities; caution in rural areas
- Sun and heat
- High UV; risk of sunburn and heat exhaustion
- Emergency
- 911 for ambulance
- Use insect repellent and cover up to reduce mosquito bites, especially in lowland and coastal areas. Urban tap water is usually treated, but bottled water is safer in remote areas. Private clinics offer good care but can be costly. Seek medical advice before travel about routine and recommended vaccinations.
Crime & Scam Trends
Common crimes and scams targeting tourists
Watch for taxi overcharging, ATM-related theft and impostors posing as police. Use only official red taxis with a yellow triangle and a working meter.
- Taxis
- Official taxis are red with a yellow triangle; insist on the meter
- ATMs
- Use ATMs inside banks or malls; watch for skimming
- Fake police
- Impostors may ask to inspect money or documents
- Airport taxis are usually orange. Elsewhere use official red taxis or a reputable app and confirm the fare or meter first. Withdraw cash by day at secure ATMs. Genuine officers do not need to handle your cash; verify identity and, if in doubt, go to a police station.
Political Situation & Protests
Political instability and potential demonstrations
Costa Rica is a stable democracy and one of the most established in Central America. It has had no standing army since 1948.
- Government
- Stable presidential democracy
- Military
- No standing army; abolished in 1948
- Demonstrations
- Generally peaceful; occasional roadblocks
- Political life is stable and institutions are well established. Demonstrations and occasional roadblocks can disrupt transport; they are usually peaceful. As a routine precaution, avoid large gatherings and follow local news for updates.
Local Laws & Prohibitions
Important local laws and penalties for travelers
Drug offences carry severe penalties. It is illegal to buy or export wildlife products and turtle eggs. Follow national park rules and protect the environment.
- Drugs
- Strictly prohibited; heavy prison sentences
- Wildlife
- No trade or export of animals, shells or turtle eggs
- National parks
- Follow all rules; stay on marked trails
- Costa Rica strongly protects its nature. Removing plants, animals, sea shells or turtle eggs, or disturbing wildlife, is illegal and penalised. Carry a copy of your passport. Penalties for drug possession or trafficking are severe.
Emergency Contacts
Police, ambulance, and fire department numbers
Dial 911 for all emergencies: police, ambulance and fire. It is the single national emergency number.
- All emergencies
- 911
- Language
- Spanish; some English-speaking operators
- Tourist police
- Present in main tourist areas
- 911 covers police, ambulance and fire nationwide. Operators mainly speak Spanish; be ready to give your location clearly. Tourist police patrol popular destinations and can assist visitors.
Embassy & Consulate Info
Location and contact details of your embassy
No embassy or consulate information is available for your selected nationality in this country.
Travel Insurance
Recommended coverage and tips for choosing a policy
Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended, as private medical care can be expensive. Check that adventure activities are covered.
- Medical cover
- Essential; private treatment can be costly
- Adventure activities
- Confirm zip-lining, rafting and surfing are covered
- Include
- Medical evacuation and repatriation
- Costa Rica is popular for adventure tourism. Many standard policies exclude activities such as zip-lining, white-water rafting, surfing and volcano hikes, so confirm cover in advance. Ensure your policy includes medical evacuation and repatriation.